Morningside United Church

Morningside United is described on its website as “an eco-congregation,
trying to work towards protecting and sustaining God's creation”, which made me
think I ought to feel guiltier about driving across town to get there. Apparently
there are 286 eco-congregations in Scotland, which is all to the good, though there’s nothing you’d notice out of the
ordinary.

This was a joint service involving MUC’s Episcopal
neighbours from Christ Church, whose rector, the Very Revd Susan Macdonald, conducted the communion service,
leaving Revd John Smith with not a lot to do, not even the sermon, which was
given by Lisa Clark, a Christian education leader with a clipboard, an
off-the-shoulder cardigan and no instinct whatsoever for comedy. The message of
her homily, that Jesus is as important in our everyday struggles as he is as the
centrepiece of acosy yuletide, was
just begging for the punchline … wait for it … a god is for life, not just for
Christmas! But no such luck. Was it this omission that prompted the muttered
“waste of time” from the old woman behind me? Morningside ladies can be a tough
crowd.

I had high hopes for the music when they handed me a Church
Hymnary (4th edition) with melody, not just words. Was this going to
be a congregation of enthusiastic singers? Alas not, but they were boldly led
by crashing organ music, albeit at a ponderous tempo. The line “with painful
steps and slow” from “It came upon the midnight clear” was never more
appropriate. We were also treated to four overly ambitious organ interludes,
which almost left me longing for the guitars of St Peter’s.

Almost, but not quite. Give me an old fashioned hymn over a
trendy praise chorus any day.

Lessons: Colossians 3:12-17 and Luke 2:41-52, from The
Revised English Bible.

Hymns: Angels from the realms of glory, It came upon the
midnight clear, O little town of Bethlehem, Of the Father’s love begotten, Joy
to the world.
Organ voluntaries: Noel Ecossais by Alexandre Guilmant, Rustic Serenade to the Madonna by Hector Berlioz, Meditation on the Infant King by Desmond Radcliffe, La Rejouissance & Minuet from Royal Fireworks Music by GF Handel.

Worth a return visit? On reflection, probably not. I can
live quite happily without ever hearing that organ again … and I wouldn’t want
to increase their carbon footprint with my petrol-guzzling transport choices.